U.S. patent application number 12/693224 was filed with the patent office on 2010-08-05 for management server, monitoring apparatus, and method for managing image forming apparatus and controlling monitoring apparatus.
This patent application is currently assigned to CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA. Invention is credited to Tsuyoshi Kaneko.
Application Number | 20100198966 12/693224 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42398611 |
Filed Date | 2010-08-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100198966 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kaneko; Tsuyoshi |
August 5, 2010 |
MANAGEMENT SERVER, MONITORING APPARATUS, AND METHOD FOR MANAGING
IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND CONTROLLING MONITORING APPARATUS
Abstract
A management server receives identification information
including an IP address, MAC address, and product number of an
image forming apparatus together with operation information thereof
such as counter information via a network. Then, the management
server determines whether the received identification information
coincides with registration information. When the management server
determines that the received identification information coincides
with the registration information, the management server stores the
operation information in association with a registered image
forming apparatus.
Inventors: |
Kaneko; Tsuyoshi;
(Kawasaki-shi, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CANON U.S.A. INC. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY DIVISION
15975 ALTON PARKWAY
IRVINE
CA
92618-3731
US
|
Assignee: |
CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
42398611 |
Appl. No.: |
12/693224 |
Filed: |
January 25, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
709/224 ;
709/223 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04L 41/0853 20130101;
H04L 67/16 20130101; H04L 41/0856 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
709/224 ;
709/223 |
International
Class: |
G06F 15/173 20060101
G06F015/173 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 30, 2009 |
JP |
2009-020151 |
Oct 21, 2009 |
JP |
2009-242486 |
Claims
1. A management server for managing a plurality of image forming
apparatuses connected to a network, the management server
comprising: a storage unit; a management unit configured to manage
an IP address, MAC address, and product number of an image forming
apparatus under management, stored in the storage unit in an
associated way, as registration information thereof; an acquisition
unit configured to acquire an IP address, MAC address, and product
number of an image forming apparatus together with operation
information thereof via the network; a determination unit
configured to determine, when the IP address and MAC address
acquired by the acquisition unit are not registered in an
associated way in the registration information managed by the
management unit, whether the product number acquired by the
acquisition unit is registered in the registration information
managed by the management unit; and a storing unit configured to
store, when the determination unit determines that the product
number acquired by the acquisition unit is registered in the
registration information managed by the management unit, the
operation information acquired by the acquisition unit in the
storage unit in association with an image forming apparatus
specified by the registration information including the product
number.
2. The management server according to claim 1, wherein, when the
determination unit determines that the product number acquired by
the acquisition unit is not registered in the registration
information managed by the management unit, the storing unit stores
the operation information acquired by the acquisition unit in the
storage unit in association with the product number acquired by the
acquisition unit as an unregistered image forming apparatus under
management.
3. The management server according to claim 1, wherein the
management unit manages an IP address, MAC address, product number,
and vendor information of the image forming apparatus under
management in an associated way as registration information
thereof, wherein the acquisition unit acquires the IP address, MAC
address, product number, and vendor information of the image
forming apparatus together with operation information thereof via
the network, wherein the management server further comprises a
confirmation unit configured to confirm, when the determination
unit determines that the product number acquired by the acquisition
unit is registered in the registration information managed by the
management unit, whether the vendor information registered in the
registration information in association with the product number
coincides with the vendor information acquired by the acquisition
unit, and wherein, when the confirmation unit confirms that the
registered vendor information coincides with the acquired vendor
information, the storing unit stores the operation information
acquired by the acquisition unit in the storage unit in association
with an image forming apparatus specified by the registration
information including the product number and vendor information
acquired by the acquisition unit.
4. The management server according to claim 3, wherein, when the
confirmation unit confirms that the registered vendor information
does not coincide with the acquired vendor information, the storing
unit stores the operation information acquired by the acquisition
unit in the storage unit in association with the product number
acquired by the acquisition unit as an unregistered image forming
apparatus under management.
5. The management server according to claim 1, further comprising a
notification unit configured to send, when the IP address and MAC
address acquired by the acquisition unit are not registered in an
associated way in the registration information managed by the
management unit, a notification including information for
confirming installation conditions of the image forming apparatus
from which the IP and MAC addresses were acquired.
6. The management server according to claim 3, wherein the
management unit changes the registration information by using the
information acquired by the acquisition unit, based on at least one
of the result of the determination by the determination unit and
the result of the confirmation by the confirmation unit.
7. A method for managing, in a management system, a plurality of
image forming apparatuses connected to a network, the method
comprising: managing an IP address, MAC address, and product number
of an image forming apparatus under management in an associated way
as registration information thereof; acquiring an IP address, MAC
address, and product number of an image forming apparatus together
with operation information thereof via the network; determining,
when the acquired IP address and MAC address are not registered in
an associated way in the registration information, whether the
acquired product number is registered in the registration
information; and storing, when the acquired product number is
determined to be registered in the registration information, the
acquired operation information in association with an image forming
apparatus specified by the registration information including the
product number.
8. The method according to claim 7, further comprising: managing
the IP address, MAC address, product number, and vendor information
of the image forming apparatus under management in an associated
way as registration information thereof; acquiring the IP address,
MAC address, product number, and vendor information of the image
forming apparatus together with operation information thereof via
the network; confirming, when the acquired product number is
determined to be registered in the registration information,
whether the vendor information registered in the registration
information in association with the product number coincides with
the acquired vendor information; and storing, when the registered
vendor information coincides with the acquired vendor information,
the acquired operation information in association with an image
forming apparatus specified by the registration information
including the acquired product number and vendor information.
9. The method according to claim 8, further comprising changing the
registration information by using the acquired information, based
on at least one of the result of the determination whether the
acquired product number is registered and the result of the
confirmation whether the registered vendor information coincides
with the acquired vendor information.
10. A monitoring apparatus connected with a management server via
the Internet to monitor a plurality of image forming apparatuses,
the monitoring apparatus comprising: a management unit configured
to manage an IP address, MAC address, and product number of an
image forming apparatus under monitoring in an associated way as
registration information thereof; an acquisition unit configured to
acquire information including operation information from an image
forming apparatus; a determination unit configured to determine
whether the product number of the image forming apparatus under
monitoring is included in the information acquired by the
acquisition unit; a first notification unit configured to notify,
when the determination unit determines that the product number is
included in the acquired information, IP address and product number
mismatch between acquired and registration information to the
management server based on a fact that the IP address and product
number included in the information acquired by the acquisition unit
are not registered in an associated way in the registration
information managed by the management unit; and a second
notification unit configured to notify, when the determination unit
determines that the product number is not included in the acquired
information, IP address and MAC address mismatch between acquired
and registration information to the management server based on a
fact that the IP address and MAC address included in the
information acquired by the acquisition unit are not registered in
an associated way in the registration information managed by the
management unit.
11. A method for controlling a monitoring apparatus connected with
a management server via the Internet, wherein the monitoring
apparatus monitors a plurality of image forming apparatuses by
managing an IP address, MAC address, and product number of an image
forming apparatus under monitoring in an associated way as
registration information thereof by using a management unit, the
method comprising: acquiring information including operation
information from an image forming apparatus; determining whether
the product number of the image forming apparatus under monitoring
is included in the acquired information; notifying, when the
product number is determined to be included in the acquired
information, IP address and product number mismatch between
acquired and registration information to the management server
based on a fact that the IP address and product number included in
the acquired information are not registered in an associated way in
the registration information managed by the management unit; and
notifying, when the product number is determined to be not included
in the acquired information, IP address and MAC address mismatch
between acquired and registration information to the management
server based on a fact that the IP address and MAC address included
in the acquired information are not registered in an associated way
in the registration information managed by the management unit.
12. A computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program
for causing a computer to perform a method for monitoring a
plurality of image forming apparatuses, the method comprising:
managing an IP address, MAC address, and product number of an image
forming apparatus under monitoring in an associated way as
registration information thereof; acquiring information including
operation information from an image forming apparatus; determining
whether the product number of the image forming apparatus under
monitoring is included in the acquired information; notifying, when
the product number is determined to be included in the acquired
information, IP address and product number mismatch between
acquired and registration information to the management server
based on a fact that the IP address and product number included in
the acquired information are not registered in an associated way in
the managed registration information; and notifying, when the
product number is determined to be not included in the acquired
information, IP address and MAC address mismatch between acquired
and registration information to the management server connected via
the Internet based on a fact that the IP address and MAC address
included in the acquired information are not registered in an
associated way in the managed registration information.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a system which manages
operation information of image forming apparatuses.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] A management system in which a management server manages
image forming apparatuses is discussed in Japanese Patent
Application Laid-Open No. 2008-079003. In the management system, a
monitoring apparatus interfacing between image forming apparatuses
and the management server detects replacement and setup change of
an image forming apparatus under monitoring. Specifically, the
monitoring apparatus compares identification information (media
access control (MAC) address) of image forming apparatuses under
monitoring, stored in the monitoring apparatus, with identification
information acquired from an image forming apparatus to detect
replacement of an image forming apparatus under monitoring. Then,
the monitoring apparatus deletes information about the image
forming apparatus detected to have been replaced, so that the
information is not transferred to the management server.
[0005] In the above-mentioned management system, when the
monitoring apparatus detects replacement or setup change of an
image forming apparatus under monitoring, transmission of its
operation information to the management server is not performed.
This means that the management server cannot manage necessary
information for, for example, accounting processing based on the
use of the image forming apparatus.
[0006] In this case, the management server may appropriately manage
operation information based on a serial number (hereinafter
referred to as S/N) of image forming apparatuses. However, even if
the management server manages operation information based on the
S/N, it is not guaranteed that the S/N is unique for each apparatus
since each vendor may use the same S/N for image forming
apparatuses from different vendors.
[0007] Further, for example, even if the management server manages
operation information based on the media access control (MAC)
address, replacing a network interface card (NIC) itself having a
MAC address setting makes it difficult to appropriately manage
operation information. Therefore, there is demand for such a
mechanism that the management server flexibly manages operation
information in a consistent way even when an image forming
apparatus is replaced or moved or when a NIC is replaced.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention is directed to a method for managing
appropriate operation information of an image forming apparatus in
consideration of its installation conditions based on information
acquired from the image forming apparatus.
[0009] According to an aspect of the preset invention, a management
server configured to manage a plurality of image forming
apparatuses connected to a network includes: a storage unit; a
management unit configured to manage an Internet Protocol (IP)
address, media access control (MAC) address, and product number of
an image forming apparatus under management, stored in the storage
unit in an associated way, as registration information thereof; an
acquisition unit configured to acquire an IP address, MAC address,
and product number of an image forming apparatus together with
operation information thereof via the network; a determination unit
configured to determine, when the IP address and MAC address
acquired by the acquisition unit are not registered in an
associated way in the registration information managed by the
management unit, whether the product number acquired by the
acquisition unit is registered in the registration information
managed by the management unit; and a storing unit configured to
store, when the determination unit determines that the product
number acquired by the acquisition unit is registered in the
registration information managed by the management unit, the
operation information acquired by the acquisition unit in the
storage unit in association with an image forming apparatus
specified by the registration information including the product
number.
[0010] Further features and aspects of the present invention will
become apparent from the following detailed description of
exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and
constitute a part of the specification, illustrate exemplary
embodiments, features, and aspects of the invention and, together
with the description, serve to explain the principles of the
invention.
[0012] FIG. 1 illustrates a configuration of a management system
according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present
invention.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a configuration of modules
implemented in the management server.
[0014] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a configuration of a monitoring
apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0015] FIG. 4 is an exemplary operation information table used by
the management server.
[0016] FIG. 5 is an exemplary table held by the management server,
illustrating a relation between a MAC address and vendor.
[0017] FIG. 6A is a block diagram of a hardware configuration of
the management server.
[0018] FIG. 6B is a flow chart of exemplary data processing
performed by the management server according to a first exemplary
embodiment of the present invention.
[0019] FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary e-mail sent from the
management server to a service engineer.
[0020] FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary web page created by the
management server illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0021] FIG. 9 is a flow chart of exemplary data processing
performed by a monitoring apparatus according to the first
exemplary embodiment.
[0022] FIG. 10 is a flow chart of exemplary data processing
performed by a monitoring apparatus according to a second exemplary
embodiment of the present invention.
[0023] FIG. 11 is a flow chart of exemplary data processing
performed by a management server according to the second exemplary
embodiment.
DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0024] Various exemplary embodiments, features, and aspects of the
invention will be described in detail below with reference to the
drawings.
[0025] FIG. 1 illustrates a configuration of a management system
according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
In the management system, a management server 106 manages an image
forming apparatus 102 connected via the Internet 108. Although one
image forming apparatus is connected to a network in the present
exemplary embodiment, a plurality of image forming apparatuses 102
may be connected thereto.
[0026] Referring to FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 102, a
proxy server 103, a firewall 104, a personal computer (PC) 105, and
a monitoring apparatus 109 are connected to a local area network
(LAN) 101. The PC 105 is a personal computer used on business by
general users. The PC 105 includes hardware resources and software
resources including an operating system (OS) which controls
execution of applications.
[0027] Further, the image forming apparatus 102 may include
facsimile and copy functions (not illustrated). The management
server 106 manages the operating state of the image forming
apparatus 102 in a centralized way. In an intranet 107, the image
forming apparatus 102, the proxy server 103, and the firewall 104
are mutually connected via the LAN 101.
[0028] Further, the monitoring apparatus 109 is mutually connected
with the image forming apparatus 102 via the LAN 101, and with the
management server 106 via the Internet 108. The monitoring
apparatus 109 performs communication processing based on its own
communication schedule via the LAN 101 to transmit information
about the image forming apparatus 102 (counter value, operation
status log, and failure information) to the management server 106
via the Internet 108.
[0029] Communication protocols used in this case include the
Management Information Base (MIB) via the Simple Network Management
Protocol (SNMP).
[0030] Further, the image forming apparatus 102 can perform
communication processing based on its own communication schedule to
transmit the above-mentioned information about the image forming
apparatus 102 directly to the management server 106. Although the
present exemplary embodiment assumes a communication protocol such
as the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) and Hypertext Transfer
Protocol Security (HTTPS), the communication protocol is not
limited thereto. In the example illustrated in FIG. 1, the image
forming apparatus 102 transmits data to the management server 106
via the proxy server 103 and the firewall 104 by using the protocol
HTTPS.
[0031] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a configuration of modules for
performing management functions in the management server 106
illustrated in FIG. 1. Referring to FIG. 2, the management server
106 includes a communication unit 201, a storage unit 202, and a
control unit 203. The communication unit 201 communicates with the
monitoring apparatus 109 and the image forming apparatus 102. The
communication unit 201 receives operation information such as
counter value and log and failure information such as hardware
failure and jam repetition from the monitoring apparatus 109, and
transmits necessary commands and information to the monitoring
apparatus 109. The counter value includes, for example, the total
number of sheets printed by the image forming apparatus 102.
[0032] The storage unit 202 stores operation information, sales
company information, and customer information acquired from the
monitoring apparatus 109. The control unit 203 includes a
notification management unit 204, a customer information management
unit 205, an apparatus information management unit 206, and a sales
company information management unit 208. In the present exemplary
embodiment, the notification management unit 204, the customer
information management unit 205, the apparatus information
management unit 206, a vendor determination unit 207, and the sales
company information management unit 208 are configured as a module.
The control unit 203 manages necessary information for monitoring
and maintaining the image forming apparatus 102.
[0033] The notification management unit 204 specifies the contents
and destination of a notification, and generates notification data.
The notification includes a request to a service engineer who
maintains the image forming apparatus 102, such as a maintenance
request and a consumable supply request, for example, by electronic
mail. The service engineer is provided with a cellular phone or
personal digital assistance (PDA) as a data communication device
having electronic mail reception functions to receive electronic
mails from the management server 106 and confirm its contents.
[0034] The customer information management unit 205 manages
information about customers where the image forming apparatus 102
and the monitoring apparatus 109 are installed. The sales company
information management unit 208 manages information about sales
companies which manage customers where the image forming apparatus
102 and the monitoring apparatus 109 are installed.
[0035] The apparatus information management unit 206 manages
various pieces of information about the image forming apparatuses
102 under maintenance and management. The apparatus information
management unit 206 manages, for example, identification
information, failure state information, maintenance history,
administrator information, and consumable management information of
the image forming apparatus 102.
[0036] A manufacturer determination unit (vendor determination
unit) 207 included in the apparatus information management unit 206
specifies and manages a manufacturer (vendor) of the image forming
apparatus 102 based on a MAC address received together with its
operation information. A vendor may be specified with other than
the MAC address. The MAC address of Ethernet is composed of 48
bits. The first three bytes (24 bits) of the MAC address are
assigned a network apparatus vendor code (a code that uniquely
identifies a manufacturer) managed by the IEEE. The remaining three
bytes (24 bits) are assigned a product number specific to each
individual product by respective network apparatus vendors. Since
only one unique MAC address is assigned to each individual product
in the world, it is guaranteed that every product is assigned a
different MAC address.
[0037] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the configuration of the
monitoring apparatus 109 illustrated in FIG. 1. Referring to FIG.
3, the monitoring apparatus 109 includes a communication unit 301,
a storage unit 302, a display unit 303, and a control unit 304. The
communication unit 301 communicates with the management server 106
and the image forming apparatus 102. The communication unit 301
transmits the operation information acquired from the image forming
apparatus 102 to the management server 106. The communication unit
301 also receives a command from the management server 106.
[0038] The operation information acquired from the image forming
apparatus 102, monitoring setup information of the image forming
apparatus 102, and information about the management server are
registered in the storage unit 302. Information that can or cannot
be acquired from the monitoring apparatus 109 by the image forming
apparatus 102 differs for each model thereof. Such information
includes firmware version information of the image forming
apparatus 102 and browser information referenced from a panel of
the image forming apparatus 102. The above-mentioned monitoring
setup specifies whether such information is to be acquired from the
monitoring apparatus 109. The display unit 303 displays operation
information currently being monitored and a monitoring setup
screen. The control unit 304 includes a notification management
unit 305, an apparatus information acquisition unit 306, and an
apparatus information management unit 307.
[0039] The notification management unit 305 specifies a destination
of notification, such as the management server 106, and generates
and manages notification data. The apparatus information
acquisition unit 306 acquires operation information from the image
forming apparatus 102. In the present exemplary embodiment, the IP
address and MAC address of the image forming apparatus 102 are
registered in the storage unit 302 together with its operation
information in an associated way. The apparatus information
management unit 307 generates and manages information for the
management server 106 based on the acquired operation
information.
[0040] The present exemplary embodiment of the present invention
can be attained even if functions of the monitoring apparatus 109
are implemented in the image forming apparatus 102. In that case, a
memory area and a communication unit in the image forming apparatus
102 may be shared.
[0041] FIG. 4 is an exemplary operation information table of image
forming apparatuses 102 under management. The operation information
table is used by the apparatus information management unit 206 of
the management server 106 illustrated in FIG. 1. The operation
information table is stored in the storage unit 202 of the
management server 106.
[0042] Referring to FIG. 4, the operation information table
includes a customer ID 401 which denotes a customer where each
image forming apparatus is installed. The customer ID 401 is
managed also by the customer information management unit 205 of the
management server 106. The operation information table also
includes a S/N 402 which denotes the serial number of image forming
apparatuses 102 registered in the management server 106. The serial
number means, for example, a unique product number used to identify
each individual product set by respective image forming apparatus
vendors (manufactures).
[0043] The operation information table also includes an IP address
403 and MAC address 404 of image forming apparatuses 102. The MAC
address is used, for example, to identify an image forming
apparatus vendor in step S602 of the flow chart illustrated in FIG.
6B. The operation information table also includes counter
information 405 included in the operation information of image
forming apparatuses 102. The value of the counter information 405
is used to manage accounting and grasp the operation status of the
image forming apparatus 102. The operation information table also
includes vendor information 406 which denotes each image forming
apparatus vendor, and a result of the determination of vendor by
the management server 106 based on the information transmitted from
the monitoring apparatus 109. In addition to the customer ID 401,
the S/N 402, the IP address 403, the MAC address 404, the counter
information 405, and the vendor 406 of FIG. 4, other information
can be stored in the operation information table. For example, all
pieces of information including operation information such as the
counter information received from the monitoring apparatus 109 can
be stored in the operation information table. With the operation
information table illustrated in FIG. 4, the third and fifth image
forming apparatuses 102 from different vendors are assigned the
same S/N.
[0044] FIG. 5 is an exemplary table retained by the management
server 106 illustrated in FIG. 1, illustrating a relation between
the MAC address and vendor. Referring to FIG. 5, the exemplary
operation information table includes a MAC address 501 and a vendor
name 502 of each image forming apparatus. FIG. 6A is a block
diagram of a hardware configuration of the management server 106
illustrated in FIG. 1. Referring to FIG. 6A, a read-only memory
(ROM) 603 stores a program (including a program which attains each
piece of processing of FIG. 6B) executed by a central processing
unit (CPU) 601. The CPU 601 totally controls each device connected
thereto via an internal bus 606. The CPU 601, a random access
memory (RAM) 602, the ROM 603, a hard disk drive (HDD) 604, a
network interface (NW I/F) 605, and a display unit 607 are
connected to the internal bus 606.
[0045] The network interface 605, corresponding to the
communication unit 201 illustrated in FIG. 2, bi-directionally
exchanges data with external network apparatuses and personal
computers (PCs) via the Internet 108 illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0046] The HDD 604, corresponding to the storage unit 202
illustrated in FIG. 2, serves as an external storage. The HDD 604
stores registration information of the image forming apparatus 102,
and also can store the above-mentioned counter information, system
information, and status information instead of the RAM 602 serving
as a backup memory.
[0047] The CPU 601 is configured such that image data can be stored
in the HDD 604. An operating system (OS) is installed in the HDD
604. After being loaded from the HDD 604 into the RAM 602, the OS
manages various pieces of data and execution of applications. The
CPU 601 loads an application program from the HDD 604 into the RAM
602 and then executes it to perform data communication processing,
data calculation processing, and data display processing.
[0048] The thus-configured management server 106 performs the
following data monitoring processing. FIG. 6B is a flow chart of
exemplary data processing performed by the management server 106
according to the present exemplary embodiment. In the present
exemplary embodiment, the management server 106 illustrated in FIG.
1 recognizes a change in network setup and determines a method for
storing the operation information received from the monitoring
apparatus 109. Each step is attained when the CPU 601 of the
management server 106 illustrated in FIG. 6A loads a relevant
control program from the HDD 604 into the RAM 602 and then executes
it. The control program includes the modules 204 to 208 illustrated
in FIG. 2.
[0049] In step S601, the CPU 601 receives information including the
operation information such as the counter information transmitted
from the monitoring apparatus 109 illustrated in FIG. 1 via the NW
I/F 605. In step S602, the CPU 601 compares the identification
information of the image forming apparatus 102, from which the
operation information included in the received information was
acquired, with the identification information in the operation
information table (FIG. 4) of image forming apparatuses 102 under
management registered in the HDD 604 of the management server 106
to determine whether the two pieces of information coincide with
each other. The identification information to be compared with is a
combination of the IP address and MAC address of each image forming
apparatus 102. The above processing is performed to detect a change
in the IP address of an image forming apparatus 102 connected to
the network, and detect that a new image forming apparatus has been
connected thereto.
[0050] When the CPU 601 determines that the identification
information included in the received information coincides with
registration information of the management server 106 as a result
of the comparison in step S602 (YES in the same step), the CPU 601
stores the received operation information in the HDD 604 (operation
information table of FIG. 4) in connection with the registration
information. Then, the CPU 601 terminates the processing of FIG.
6B.
[0051] When the CPU 601 determines that the identification
information included in the received information does not coincide
with registration information of the management server 106 in step
S602 (NO in the same step), the CPU 601 advances processing to step
S603. In step S603, the CPU 601 notifies IP/MAC mismatch to a
specific user (such as a service engineer) by electronic mail. FIG.
7 illustrates an exemplary e-mail notifying IP/MAC mismatch.
Further, the CPU 601 stops notification of other mails. Other mails
include, for example, a notification of counter reversal and an
event notification (jam, service call, and alarm). The sales
company information management unit 208 of the management server
106 manages the mail address of notification destination service
engineers based on the service engineer code.
[0052] The following cases are assumed for IP/MAC mismatch. One
case of IP/MAC mismatch is when the IP address and MAC address
included in the information received in step S601 are missing in
the registration information. Another case of IP/MAC mismatch is
when, although the IP address included in the information received
in step S601 is present in the registration information, the MAC
address corresponding to the IP address is different from the MAC
address in the registration information. Still another case of
IP/MAC mismatch is when, although the MAC address included in the
information received in step S601 is present in the registration
information, the IP address corresponding to the MAC address is
different from the IP address in the registration information.
[0053] In step S604, the CPU 601 requests the monitoring apparatus
109 for an S/N of an image forming apparatus under IP/MAC mismatch.
Then, the CPU 601 acquires an S/N of the image forming apparatus
102 under IP/MAC mismatch from the monitoring apparatus 109 via the
Internet 108.
[0054] In step S605, the CPU 601 determines whether the image
forming apparatus 102 is registered in the management server 106
based on the S/N acquired from the monitoring apparatus 109. When
the CPU 601 determines that the S/N of the image forming apparatus
102 acquired in step S604 is registered in the operation
information table (FIG. 4) in the management server 106 in step
S605 (YES in the same step), the CPU 601 advances processing to
step S606.
[0055] In step S606, the CPU 601 checks the vendor information of
the image forming apparatus 102 based on the vendor code of the MAC
address included in the received information. Then, the CPU 601 of
the management server 106 stores the S/N and the vendor information
406 in an associated way in the operation information table
illustrated in FIG. 4.
[0056] In step S607, the CPU 601 determines whether the vendor
information 406 stored in the operation information table in the
management server 106 illustrated in FIG. 4 coincides with the
vendor information checked in step S606. In other words, the CPU
601 determines whether the image forming apparatus 102, from which
the operation information was acquired, coincides with an image
forming apparatus registered in the management server 106.
[0057] When the CPU 601 determines that the stored vendor
information coincides with the checked vendor information in step
S607 (YES in the same step), the CPU 601 advances processing to
step S608. In step S608, the CPU 601 stores the operation
information received from the monitoring apparatus 109 in the HDD
604 (operation information table of FIG. 4) in connection with the
registration information of the management server 106. Then, the
CPU 601 terminates the processing of FIG. 6B. The above processing
is performed, for example, when a network card (NIC) of the image
forming apparatus 102 is replaced. In step S608, the CPU 601 also
updates the registration information determined to be mismatched in
step S602 (IP address or MAC address) in the operation information
table. When the CPU 601 determines that the stored vendor
information coincides with the checked vendor information in step
S607 (NO in the same step), the CPU 601 advances processing to step
S609.
[0058] Also when the CPU 601 determines that the S/N of the image
forming apparatus 102 acquired in step S604 is not registered in
the operation information table in the management server 106 in
step S605 (NO in the same step), the CPU 601 advances processing to
step S609. In step S609, the CPU 601 stores the operation
information received from the monitoring apparatus 109 in a work
area of the HDD 604 in association with the S/N acquired in step
S604. Although the operation information is temporarily stored in
the work area in step S609 in the following cases, the CPU 601, in
any case, temporarily stores information of an unregistered image
forming apparatus under management.
[0059] The CPU 601 determines NO in step S607 and advances
processing to step S609, for example, when the S/N of an installed
image forming apparatus coincides with that of an image forming
apparatus registered in the management server 106 but the vendor
information is different between the two image forming apparatuses.
The CPU 601 determines NO in step S605 and advances processing to
step S609, for example, when a new image forming apparatus is
installed on the network.
[0060] The mail sent to a specific user (service engineer) in step
S603 for notifying IP/MAC mismatch (FIG. 7) includes a link to a
web page created by the management server 106. For example, the
service engineer traces the link to make predetermined selection
regarding installation conditions of the image forming apparatus
102. The service engineer can select either "Replace" to install a
new image forming apparatus or "Replace temporarily" for incorrect
or tentative installation. FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary web
page. In step S610, the CPU 601 waits until the service engineer
selects either of the above-mentioned items by using a mobile data
communication device. In step S611, upon reception of a selection
from the service engineer, the CPU 601 determines whether the
selection is "Replace" of the image forming apparatus 102. When the
CPU 601 determines that the selection by the service engineer is
"Replace" of the image forming apparatus 102 in step S611 (YES in
the same step), the CPU 601 assumes installation of a new image
forming apparatus and then advances processing to step S613.
[0061] In step S613, the CPU 601 registers the new image forming
apparatus installed in the operation information table (FIG. 4) in
the management server 106. The CPU 601 performs this registration
processing based on the information temporarily stored in the work
area in step S609. Suppose that the monitoring apparatus 109 is
registered in the HDD 604 of the management server 106, and that
the upper-limit number of monitorable image forming apparatuses 102
have already been registered in the operation information table in
connection with the monitoring apparatus 109.
[0062] Also in this case, the management server 106 temporarily
registers the new image forming apparatus in the operation
information table. When registering a new image forming apparatus,
various pieces of identification information of the apparatus
acquired when the operation information was received are also
associated with the apparatus. The above-mentioned temporary
registration processing is performed to smoothly perform management
processing since it is assumed that, at the time of replacement of
an image forming apparatus 102, the former image forming apparatus
102 under monitoring may not be monitored.
[0063] In step S614, the CPU 601 determines appropriate monitoring
setup based on the model information of the new image forming
apparatus 102 registered. Specifically, the CPU 601 determines the
type of operation information to be acquired, and schedule of
information acquisition. In step S615, the CPU 601 transmits a
request to change the appropriate monitoring setup of the image
forming apparatus 102 determined in step S614 and a request to
change the registration information (S/N, IP address, and MAC
address) thereof to the monitoring apparatus 109. Then, the CPU 601
terminates the processing of FIG. 6B.
[0064] When the CPU 601 determines that the selection by the
service engineer is "Replace temporarily" in step S611 (NO in the
same step), the CPU 601 advances processing to step S612. In step
S612, the CPU 601 discards from the HDD 604 the operation
information received from the monitoring apparatus 109 in step S601
and temporarily stored in the HDD 604 in step S609. Then, the CPU
601 terminates the processing of FIG. 6B.
[0065] FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary e-mail sent from the
management server 106 illustrated in FIG. 1 to a user (a service
engineer) for notifying IP/MAC mismatch in step S603 of FIG. 6B.
The service engineer is provided with a mobile terminal to receive
electronic mails sent from the management server 106. The mobile
terminal may be a cellular phone or PDA as a mobile data
communication device.
[0066] Referring to FIG. 7, a mail portion 701 includes a subject
and body text of a mail notifying IP/MAC mismatch. A line 702
denotes a link to a web page created by the management server 106.
FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary web page created by the management
server 106 illustrated in FIG. 1. This web page is created based on
the information about the image forming apparatus 102 under IP/MAC
mismatch, and the registration information of the management server
106.
[0067] A page portion 801 denotes the registration information of
the management server 106, and the information about the image
forming apparatus 102 under IP/MAC mismatch. By checking this
information on the screen of the data communication device, the
service engineer can recognize the registration information of the
management server 106 as well as the information about an image
forming apparatus currently installed at a customer. A page portion
802 denotes buttons for selecting a cause of IP/MAC mismatch. With
this screen, the service engineer confirms installation of a new
apparatus, incorrect installation, tentative installation, and
other statuses based on on-site information, and presses either the
"Replace" or "Replace temporarily" button. The management server
106 determines the button selection instep S611 of FIG. 6B.
[0068] FIG. 9 is a flow chart of exemplary data processing
performed by the monitoring apparatus 109 according to the present
exemplary embodiment. The monitoring apparatus 109 performs this
processing, for example, to set registration information and
monitoring information of the image forming apparatus 102 under
monitoring according to setup information acquired from the
management server 106. The hardware configuration of the monitoring
apparatus 109 is similar to that of the management server 106
illustrated in FIG. 6A. Further, the monitoring apparatus 109
attains this processing when the control unit 304 included therein
loads a control program relevant to each step from the ROM 603 and
HDD 604 into the RAM 602 and then executes it. The control program
includes the modules 305 to 307 illustrated in FIG. 3.
[0069] In step S901, the communication unit 301 waits for a command
from the management server 106 via the Internet 108 and the LAN
101. When the communication unit 301 receives a command from the
management server 106, the control unit 304 advances processing to
step S902. In step S902, the control unit 304 determines whether
the command from the management server 106 is a request to acquire
an S/N of the image forming apparatus 102. When the control unit
304 determines that the command is a request to acquire an S/N of
the image forming apparatus 102 in steps S902 (YES in the same
step), the control unit 304 advances processing to step S903. In
step S903, the apparatus information management unit 307 transmits
the S/N of the image forming apparatus 102 to the management server
106 via the communication unit 301. Then, the control unit 304
terminates the processing of FIG. 9. When the control unit 304
determines that the command from the management server 106 is not a
request to acquire an S/N of the image forming apparatus 102 in
step S902 (NO in the same step), the control unit 304 advances
processing to step S904. In step S904, the control unit 304
determines whether the command from the management server 106 is a
request to change the registration information of the image forming
apparatus 102.
[0070] When the control unit 304 determines that the command is a
request to change the registration information of the image forming
apparatus 102 in step S904 (YES in the same step), the control unit
304 advances processing to step S905. In step S905, the apparatus
information management unit 307 changes the registration
information following the above-mentioned command (change request)
from the management server 106. In step S909, the control unit 304
transmits a result of the processing to the management server 106
via the communication unit 301 to notify that the processing to
change the registration information is completed. Then, the control
unit 304 terminates the processing of FIG. 9.
[0071] When the control unit 304 determines that the command is not
a request to change the registration information of the image
forming apparatus 102 in step S904 (NO in the same step), the
control unit 304 advances processing to step S906. Instep S906, the
control unit 304 determines whether the command is a request to
change the monitoring setup. When the control unit 304 determines
that the command is a request to change the monitoring setup in
step S906 (YES in the same step), the control unit 304 advances
processing to step S907. In step S907, the apparatus information
acquisition unit 306 changes the monitoring setup for the image
forming apparatus 102 following the above-mentioned command (change
request) from the management server 106. In step S909, the control
unit 304 transmits a result of the processing to the management
server 106 to notify that the processing to change the registration
information is completed. Then, the control unit 304 terminates the
processing of FIG. 9.
[0072] When the control unit 304 determines that the command is not
a request to change the monitoring setup in step S906 (NO in the
same step), the control unit 304 advances processing to step S908
to perform other processing. In step S909, the control unit 304
transmits a result of the processing to the management server 106.
Then, the control unit 304 terminates the processing of FIG. 9.
[0073] While the present exemplary embodiment has specifically been
described based on the configuration of the image forming apparatus
102, the control mechanism, the information tables, and the
processing performed by the management server 106 and the image
forming apparatus 102 when IP/MAC mismatch occurs, the present
exemplary embodiment is not limited thereto.
[0074] When the management server recognizes IP/MAC mismatch
(IP/MAC is one of network setups), the present exemplary embodiment
allows the management server to change the method for storing
operation information to perform correct calculation, thus
preventing improper charge to customers. The present exemplary
embodiment also allows the management server to automatically
recognize replacement of a NIC board in the same image forming
apparatus 102, and to automatically change registration information
and appropriately make monitoring setup to the monitoring apparatus
following a selection made by the service engineer in response to a
notification. Therefore, the present exemplary embodiment makes it
possible to configure a management system for appropriately
managing operation information of the image forming apparatus 102
while performing processing for matching registration information
without imposing a burden on the service engineer.
[0075] According to a second exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, the monitoring apparatus 109 performs data processing of
the management server 106 described in the above-mentioned first
exemplary embodiment, and, based on a result of the data
processing, determines a method for storing the operation
information received by the management server 106. In the present
exemplary embodiment, a device ID is added to each image forming
apparatus 102. Although not illustrated, the device ID is included
in the operation information table of the present exemplary
embodiment. Specifically, the management server 106 of the present
exemplary embodiment manages the operating state of the image
forming apparatus 102 based on the operation information table
including various pieces of operation information (customer ID,
device ID, serial number, IP address, MAC address, and counter
information) and the vendor information.
[0076] FIG. 10 is a flow chart of exemplary data processing
performed by the monitoring apparatus 109 according to the second
exemplary embodiment. The hardware configuration of the monitoring
apparatus 109 is similar to that of the management server 106
illustrated in FIG. 6A. Further, this processing is attained when
the control unit 304 included therein loads a control program
relevant to each step from the ROM 603 and HDD 604 into the RAM 602
and then executes it. The control program includes the modules 305
to 307 illustrated in FIG. 3.
[0077] In step S1101, the control unit 304 of the monitoring
apparatus 109 acquires operation information such as counter value
and log and failure information such as hardware failure and jam
repetition from the image forming apparatus 102 under monitoring.
The control unit 304 acquires these pieces of information, for
example, during a communication test for checking communication
between the monitoring apparatus 109 and the image forming
apparatus 102 under monitoring, when the counter value is acquired
from the image forming apparatus 102 under monitoring, or when the
registration information of the image forming apparatus 102 under
monitoring is changed in the monitoring apparatus 109. In step
S1102, the control unit 304 checks whether the S/N (serial number)
of the image forming apparatus 102 is included in the information
acquired in step S1101. The S/N is not included in the acquired
information, for example, in the case of a model of the image
forming apparatus 102 which transmits information without including
the S/N.
[0078] When the control unit 304 determines that the S/N is
included in the acquired information as a result of the check in
step S1102 (YES in the same step), the control unit 304 advances
processing to step S1103. In step S1103, the control unit 304
compares the information of the image forming apparatus 102
registered in the storage unit 202 with the information acquired in
step S1101. Specifically, the control unit 304 compares a
combination of the IP address and the S/N. When the control unit
304 determines that the registration information does not coincide
with the acquired information (IP/Serial mismatch) as a result of
the comparison in step S1103 (YES in the same step), the control
unit 304 advances processing to step S1104. In step S1104, the
control unit 304 notifies the information difference as "IP/Serial
mismatch" together with the customer ID to the management server
106 (first notification). When the control unit 304 determines that
the registration information coincides with the acquired
information (IP/Serial match) as a result of the comparison in step
S1103 (NO in the same step), the control unit 304 terminates the
processing of FIG. 10.
[0079] When the control unit 304 determines that the S/N is not
included in the acquired information as a result of the check in
step S1102 (NO in the same step), the control unit 304 advances
processing to step S1105. In step S1105, the control unit 304
compares the information about the image forming apparatus 102
registered in the monitoring apparatus 109 with the acquired
information. Specifically, the control unit 304 compares a
combination of the IP address and the MAC address. When the control
unit 304 determines that the registration information does not
coincide with the acquired information (IP/MAC mismatch) as a
result of the comparison in step S1105 (YES in the same step), the
control unit 304 advances processing to step S1106. In step S1106,
the control unit 304 notifies the information difference as "IP/MAC
mismatch" together with the customer ID to the management server
106 (second notification). When the control unit 304 determines
that the registration information coincides with the acquired
information (IP/MAC match) as a result of the comparison in step
S1105 (NO in the same step), the control unit 304 terminates the
processing of FIG. 10.
[0080] FIG. 11 is a flow chart of exemplary data processing
performed by the management server 106 according to the second
exemplary embodiment. Each step is attained when the CPU 601 of the
management server 106 illustrated in FIG. 6A loads a relevant
control program from the HDD 604 into the RAM 602 and then executes
it. The control program includes the modules 204 to 208 illustrated
in FIG. 2. In step S1201, the CPU 601 receives apparatus
information such as the counter value transmitted from the
monitoring apparatus 109. In step S1202, the CPU 601 determines
whether the apparatus information received in step S1201 is a
notification of "IP/Serial mismatch."
[0081] When the CPU 601 determines that the received information is
a notification of "IP/Serial mismatch" as a result of the
determination in step S1202 (YES in the same step), the CPU 601
advances processing to step S1205. When the CPU 601 determines that
the received information is not a notification of "IP/Serial
mismatch" as a result of the determination in step S1202 (NO in the
same step), the CPU 601 advances processing to step S1203. In step
S1203, the CPU 601 determines whether the received information is a
notification of "IP/MAC mismatch." When the CPU 601 determines that
the received information is not a notification of "IP/MAC mismatch"
as a result of the determination in step S1203 (NO in the same
step), the CPU 601 terminates the processing of FIG. 11.
[0082] When the CPU 601 determines that the received information is
a notification of "IP/MAC mismatch" as a result of the
determination in step S1203 (YES in the same step), the CPU 601
advances processing to step S1204. In step S1204, the CPU 601
requests the monitoring apparatus 109 for the registration
information of the image forming apparatus 102 under IP/MAC
mismatch. Then the CPU 601 acquires registration information of the
image forming apparatus 102 under IP/MAC mismatch from the
monitoring apparatus 109 via the Internet 108 and then advances
processing to step S1205. The registration information means the
device ID of the image forming apparatus 102 registered in the
monitoring apparatus 109. Normally, this device ID coincides with
that registered in the operation information table in the
management server 106.
[0083] In step S1205, the CPU 601 notifies IP/Serial mismatch to
the service engineer by electronic mail. Further, the CPU 601 stops
notification of other mails. Other mails include, for example, a
notification of counter reversal and an event notification (jam,
service call, and alarm). The sales company information management
unit 208 of the management server 106 manages the mail address of
notification destination service engineers based on the service
engineer code.
[0084] In step S1206, the CPU 601 determines whether the image
forming apparatus 102 is registered in the operation information
table in the management server 106 based on the S/N or device ID
used for determination processing. When the CPU 601 determines that
the image forming apparatus 102 corresponding to the S/N or device
ID used for determination processing is registered in the
management server 106 in step S1206 (YES in the same step), the CPU
601 advances processing to step S1207. When the CPU 601 determines
that the image forming apparatus 102 corresponding to the S/N or
device ID used for determination processing is not registered in
the management server 106 in step S1206 (NO in the same step), the
CPU 601 advances processing to step S1210. Since steps S1207 to
S1216 respectively perform similar processing to steps S606 to S615
of FIG. 6B described in the first exemplary embodiment,
descriptions of steps S1207 to S1216 are omitted.
[0085] While the present invention has been described with
reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the
invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments.
The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest
interpretation so as to encompass all modifications, equivalent
structures, and functions.
[0086] Aspects of the present invention can also be realized by a
computer of a system or apparatus (or devices such as a CPU or MPU)
that reads out and executes a program recorded on a memory device
to perform the functions of the above-described embodiment (s), and
by a method, the steps of which are performed by a computer of a
system or apparatus by, for example, reading out and executing a
program recorded on a memory device to perform the functions of the
above-described embodiment(s). For this purpose, the program is
provided to the computer for example via a network or from a
recording medium of various types serving as the memory device
(e.g., computer-readable medium).
[0087] While the present invention has been described with
reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the
invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments.
The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest
interpretation so as to encompass all modifications, equivalent
structures, and functions.
[0088] This application claims priority from Japanese Patent
Applications No. 2009-020151 filed Jan. 30, 2009 and No.
2009-242486 filed Oct. 21, 2009, which are hereby incorporated by
reference herein in their entirety.
* * * * *